• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

46 manufacturers receive $20M in workforce innovation grants from state

Gov. Reynolds and Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $20M in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa.

Mary StrokabyMary Stroka
March 4, 2022
in State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read
46 manufacturers receive $20M in workforce innovation grants from state

The Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa implemented Manufacturing 4.0 strategies.
Photo Credit: Iowa Economic Development Authority

(The Center Square) – Twenty million dollars in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants have been awarded to 46 companies in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Thursday.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

Post Roe, state elected officials pledge abortion debate in Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution

Workforce Innovation grants are geared toward Iowa manufacturers with 76 to 250 employees. The grants focus on addressing workforce shortages that limit the company in growth or sales or help retain existing employees by refocusing human capital from manual, labor-intensive positions into high-skill occupations through robotic and automated systems.

Recipients received up to $500,000 in grant funding for an at least 25 percent match.

The Manufacturing 4.0 plan, which launched in February 2021, is intended to help Iowa manufacturers remain globally competitive, the release said.

“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative focuses on one of Iowa’s largest industries and will help them unleash new potential to grow their businesses,” Reynolds said in the news release. “To maintain our economic vitality in this sector, particularly as we work to mitigate ongoing workforce shortages, these grants serve as a critical resource to support advanced manufacturing businesses. It is imperative that our businesses remain globally competitive and a step ahead of the evolving demands of the 21st century economy.”

Innovative Injection Technologies, Inc. (I2Tech), a custom plastics injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services in West Des Moines, will use $500,000 to purchase robots to install on their presses.

Demand from their clients increased during COVID-19 when other molders closed, the release said.

“At the same time, the labor pool decreased, and the company found it difficult to meet customer needs,” the release said. The robots will eliminate repetitive tasks, elevate their employees’ skills, and make it easier to accept new and complex projects.”

FRM Socks, a sock producer in Osage, will use $340,000 to replace its outdated Enterprise Resource Planning system with a more capable, modern, cloud-based ERP that will allow it to automate data flow throughout its value chain, improving interactions with suppliers and customers.

The Workforce Innovation grant recipients are listed here.

Thirty-seven companies with three to 75 employees received on Jan. 21 and Feb. 28 another $1.9 million (up to $75,000 apiece) in Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) Technology Investment Program grants for projects that adopt and integrate smart technologies. They had to match the grants at least dollar for dollar. Technology Investment grant recipients are listed here.

ADVERTISEMENT

IEDA is accepting applications for Technology Investment program grants.

Companies can apply for $75,000 between Manufacturing Innovation Equipment Grants and Manufacturing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Infrastructure Investment Grants over the business lifetime. They need to undergo a Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) Industry 4.0 assessment before applying. Grants are available until the fund is depleted.

Learn more at iowamfg.com or email info@iowamfg.com.

Gov. Reynolds appropriated $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the grant programs in October 2021.

Tags: American Rescue Plan ActCOVID-19Iowa Economic Development AuthorityKim ReynoldsManufacturing 4.0workforce developmentworkforce innovation
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Holt: That’s right, I am an Iowan!

Next Post

Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Mary Stroka

Mary Stroka

Mary Stoka is a freelance writer, editor, journalist, and public relations professional who lives in Chicago, Ill.

Related Posts

Schultz: Governor Highlights Successes in Western Iowa
State Government

Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

June 29, 2022
State Government

Post Roe, state elected officials pledge abortion debate in Iowa

June 25, 2022
Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution
State Government

Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution

June 17, 2022
Hendrickson & Williams: Governor Reynolds’ Tax Reform Ideas are Pro-Growth
State Government

Iowa to allocate $100M in federal funding for school safety

June 16, 2022
Opinion

Miller-Meeks: More than a high-class problem

June 13, 2022
Politics

Several Republican incumbent lawmakers lose primaries

June 8, 2022
Next Post
Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Grassley files for re-election to U.S. Senate

Miller joins bipartisan investigation into TikTok

Miller joins bipartisan investigation into TikTok

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Three Iowa students named 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Three Iowa students named 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars

May 13, 2021
Reynolds Elected as Vice Chair of Republican Governors Association

Reynolds Elected as Vice Chair of Republican Governors Association

December 9, 2020
Hinson Officially Launches Reeection Campaign

Hinson Officially Launches Reeection Campaign

August 30, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Schultz: Governor Highlights Successes in Western Iowa

    Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa employers say attracting a quality workforce is a top priority

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Axne attacks Nunn in first campaign ad

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Several Republican incumbent lawmakers lose primaries

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bill Gustoff Announces Campaign for Iowa House District 40

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.